Every day should be a reminder to live cleaner and greener, not just on #EarthDay. The annual day is celebrated each year on April 22 and marks the anniversary of the conception of the modern environmental movement in 1970. With beauty being one of the most wasteful industries out there, this day is a reminder to re-educate ourselves on how to set an eco-friendly routine in place.
The green and blue movements in beauty demand accountability from brands in making their products safer for nature. From packaging to manufacturing processes and ingredients used, your beauty products can have a huge impact on the environment. This is especially true for sunscreens that can contain quite questionable ingredients in them. Multiple reports have called out chemical sunscreens for disrupting the reproductive cycle of coral reefs, leading to accelerated degradation. This also justifies a swift spike in the popularity of mineral sunscreens that are considered to be safer for the oceans and the environment as a whole.
100% mineral sunscreens are formulated with inorganic compounds like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that provide UV protection to the skin. They are free of chemical compounds like oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, benzophenone-1 and 8, benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, and 3-benzylidene camphor.
Mineral sunscreens are also often all-natural, so clean beauty lovers reach out for them as well. If you’ve been wanting to shift to a more sustainable sun protection routine as well, we’ve picked some of our favourites for you. For purpose of keeping the skin ash-free, we’ve limited our choices to creams, fluids and lotions that won’t leave a white cast, regardless of the complexion! Swipe through to check them out:
The sensitive skin hero from the UK-based brand has been a constant on skincare vanities for a while. The non-ashy, pearlized formula perfectly blends with your complexion, leaving an illuminated glow on your skin. The lutein-infused formula also protects the skin from blue light damage.
Freckled lasses can put their trust in this formula from this French pharmacy brand. The creamy texture melts into the skin in an invisible finish, and is ideal for dry skin types.
The ultralight, oil-free formula is best suited for people who often find creamy sunscreens too overwhelming to wear all day. It is non-irritant and safe to use around the eye area as well.
Formulated with 21.6% zinc oxide, this potent sunscreen offers a fragrance-free and non-irritant experience all day. For people with acne-prone skin who struggle with finding a sunscreen that won't break them out, this is a safe option to trust all year round.
Infused with prebiotics and vitamin C, this gentle sunscreen is ideal for everyday use. The lotion-like texture leaves a matte finish on your skin and can be worn under makeup. The face liquid is also suitable for use on skin troubled by eczema and psoriasis.
Enriched with sweet almond oil, canola flower and acacia spheres extract, this 100% natural and vegan formula not only offers sun protection but also repairs previously sun-exposed skin.
Formulated with Yashad Bhasma, a powdered Ayurvedic ingredient prepared by finely processing pure zinc metal with aloe vera juice, this sun fluid is yet another pick that works of improving the skin's health in addition to offering sun protection.
Enriched with centella asiatica and green tea extract, this soothing sunscreen offers calming benefits that your skin is in dire need of during harsh summers! A potent waterproof formula, this cream offers sun-care long-lasting sun protection while indulging in outdoor activities.
We also have a guide to using sunscreen during pregnancy. Read it here.
